Improvement in torsion-springs



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y Torsion-Springs. .No.l58258I Patented Dec. 29,1874.

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Patented Dec. 29, 1874.

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ji( mi@ UNITED STATES CiPrrrnlvT @Triton RICHARD DUDLEY, OF ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT INTORSION-SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,258, datedDecember 29, 1874; application filed November 3, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD DUDLEY, of the city and county of Erie and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Torsion-Springs, for the equalization of loads, to be used as equalizers on passenger and freight cars, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side view of a car-truck with my invention attached thereon. Fig. 2 is a bottom-plan view of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detached view of my invention. Fig. 5 is avbottom-plan view of Fig. 4, parts being removed. Fig. 6 is an end view of Fig.' 4.

rlhe nature of my invention consists in so arranging torsion-springs in connection with the trucks or truck-frame of railway-cars that in operation they shall act as a combined spring and equalizer, thus doing away with the necessity of employing the equalizing-bars and their accompanying springs, and which heretofore have invariably been used.

The great advantages of this improvementin regard to cheapness, simplicity, and durability will readily suggest themselves to all practically familiar with the construction of railwaycars andthewearandtear incident to their use. By thus arranging suitable torsion-springs in connection with the truck or truck-frame, so as to operate as contemplated in my present improvement-that is, as a combined spring and equalizer-I am enabled to save the expense and to avoid the weight of some six hundred pounds of iron, which a fullsized set of the equalizing-bars now used, weigh, and also some eight rubber, coil, or other springs, which are invariably used in connection with the same. And again, by so arranging and securing the torsion-sprin gs on the side or horizontal timbers of the truck-frame that their main sections or long arms, which the short lateral 1ever-ar1ns twist or wrench in order to develop the torsional action of the spring, shall lie or run along the surface of the tim bers to which they are secured, the load being carried is not only under all circumstances equally distributed, but all jar and concussion timbers B or horizontal timbers G of said frame` are secured, by links b, clamping-plates, or other suitable means, the torsion-spain gs, which in my present invention are designed to operate as acombined spring and equalizer. These torsion-springs D D are constructed out of steel, or a rod of any other material possessing the requisite elasticity of permitting it to be twisted and wrenched in such manner as to develop the desired torsional action. These springs may be constructed in a looped form, as shown at D D of the drawings, V-shaped, or of any other desired form 5 or, instead ofthe rod or bar which forms the spring being so bent as to provide long parallel arms, the twisting or wrenching of which shall develop the torsional action of the spring, it may have a single torsional arm, as shown at E, Fig. l, simply being bent so as to provide a lateral lever-arm, E.

Thus will be seen what I desire distinctly4 to be understoodthat is, that there is nothing arbitrary as to the form or pattern of the spring to be used in the development of my invention, as almost any style of torsion-spring is of such a form as to fully meet the necessary requirements to operate successfully in connection with my improvement. The loop form of spring D D, as clearly shown in Fig.2, and in dotted lines, Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings, practical experience has fully demonstrated is most admirably adapted for the purposes of my present improvement, as in operation it so acts as to develop the double function of spring and equalizer in the most satisfactory manner. These springs D D are form ed with lateral lever-arms cl cl, and which are depressed or so bent as to extend at an angle of inclination from the main or torsional arms of the springs, as clearly shown in Figs. l, 3, 4,

Q sans and 6. rlhe springs are secured to the side timbers B of the truck, as shown at b, by means of link, clamliing-plate, or other suitable device; or the springs used may be secured to the horizontal timbers orbarsG of thetruck, as clearly shown at c, Figs. l and 2. Thusit will be seen that the long torsional arms of the spring act as the equalizing-bars, while the lateral lever-arms perform the function of the rubber or other springs now used in lconnection with the equalizing-bars. F F are the journal-bearings, and are ofthe ordinary form and secured to the side timbers B B of the truck A. In these bearings are secured the journals or oil-boxes G G, and in which rest and work the axles g g, to which the car-wheels G G are secured.

The lateral lever-arms of the springs may rest and work directly on the upper faces or surfaces of the journals F F, as does the arm E of the spring E, and as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2; but, as the frictional wear of the surface on which the lateral lever-arm opera-tesis great when the said surface is rigid and furnishes an unyielding bearing, I prefer that the ,I ateral lever-arms ofthe springs shall Work in connection with a yielding bearing, orwhat is recognized in the use of this class of springs as an antifriction device. This anti-friction device may be in the form of a link, H, as shown in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 6, or in the form of a roller or rocker plate, the saine to be secured in suitable bearings on the journal, or in any other form which will provide a bearing for the lever-arms that will yield, so as to allow the arms to work or travel over the same with little or no friction when the weight of the load so presses on said arms as to elevate the jar.

same, thus causing them to so twist or wrench the torsional arms as to develop the elasticity of the springs. The-se links H are secured by means of an eye and a staple, h, or other bearing which will allow of a slight vibrating movement, to the journal F, its upper eye being secured over the hooked end on which the lateral lever-arm terminates, or by other convenient and suitable means.

From the foregoing full and detailed description the operation of my improvement will be readily understood. As the load depresses the truck the lateral lever-arms of the springs are pressed on, which, as they yield, so twist and wrench the torsional arms of the springs as to develop the elasticity of the springs, and, owing to the fact that their torsional arms are so arranged and secured as to run or extend in a longitudinal .or horizontal direction throughout nearly the entire length of the side or cross timbers of the truck, the weight will be equally distributed, and the journals or oil-boxes will be saved from all unnecessary What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

A torsion spring provided with a lateral lever arm or arms formed in one piece therewith, to operate as an equalizing-bar, as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD DUDLEY.

Witnesses:

S'. T. LoNGsTREET, J. H. BUYs. 

